tched.

On the morrow the great council was to begin,--the council that to the
passions of that mob of savages might be as the torch to dry
brushwood. On the morrow Multnomah would try and would condemn to
death a rebel chief in the presence of the very ones who were in
secret league with him; and the setting sun would see the Willamette
power supreme and undisputed, or the confederacy would be broken
forever in the death-grapple of the tribes.

-----

[9] Lewis and Clark. See also Irving's "Astoria."

CHAPTER IV.

AN INDIAN TRIAL.

Like flame within the naked hand
His body bore his burning heart.

DANTE ROSSETTI.

Wappatto Island had seen many gatherings of the tribes, but never
before had it seen so large an assembly as on the opening day of the
council. The great cottonwoods of the council-grove waved over an
audience of sachems and warriors the like of which the oldest living
Indian could not remember.

No weapons were to be seen, for Multnomah had commanded that all arms
be left that day in the lodges. But the dissatisfied Indians had come
with weapons hidden under their robes of deer or wolf skin, which no
one should have known better than Multnomah. Had he taken any
precautions against surprise? Evidently not. A large body of
Willamette warriors, muffled in their blankets, lounged carelessly
around the grove, with not a weapon visible among them; behind them
thronged the vast and motley assemblage of doubtful allies; and back
of them, on the outskirts of the crowd, were the faithful Cayuses,
unarmed like the Willamettes. Had Multnomah's wonderful astuteness
failed him now when it was never needed more?

He was on the council-seat, a stone covered with furs; the Willamette
sachems sat in their places facing him; and mats were spread for the
chiefs of the tributaries. On a bearskin before the stern war-chief
lay a peace-pipe and a tomahawk; and to the Indians, accustomed to
signs and symbols, the two had a grim significance.

One by one the chiefs entered the circle and took their seats on the
mats provided for them. Those who were friendly to Multnomah first
laid presents before him; those who were not, took their places
without offering him either gift or salutation. Multnomah, however,
seemed unconscious of any neglect.

The chief of a Klamath tribe offered him a brilliantly dyed blanket;
another, a finely fringed